Delaware: Top Student-Athletes in Shadow of Delle Donne, Football Power

No pressure on Erica Brown of the Delaware women’s basketball. Just play like that last player, Elena Delle Donne.

No pressure on defensive linemen Blaine Woodson (pictured) in the Michigan Wolverine helmet that Delaware has taken to eight national championship games. Woodson was named CAA conference rookie of the year after having 8.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in his redshirt freshman season. Still, the Blue Hens went 6-6 and hope he can lead them back just five years after they fell one point short of an FCS national championship in a 20-19 loss to Eastern Washington.

Woodson can draw inspiration for his place on the defensive line from Dallas Cowboys great Randy White, the greatest athlete ever from the state according to the December 23, 2012, Bleacher Report.

While White looks in great shape in recent TV commercials, he may get a run for his money from Elena Delle Donne, 6-foot-5, who made 2nd team All-WNBA her first year out of Delaware. She originally signed with UConn, but due to a health issue with an older sibling decided to stay in her home state.

After she graduated, Brown stepped right in as freshman player of the year to keep Delaware strong with a 20-11 season, but last year they slumped despite Brown hitting 44% of her three-point attempts.